Anthony Award

Bouchercon Recap

/ Sarah M. Chen / 2 Comments

The whirlwind that is Bouchercon is over. I have mixed feelings about it this year because the first half I spent sick from food poisoning in my hotel room and the second half I felt like I needed to catch up to where everyone else was.  Then I went home early to be with my dog.

So was it worthwhile? Absolutely. I met people I only knew online. I love that feeling like you’re old friends yet you’ve never officially met face to face before. I saw folks I hadn’t seen since last year’s Bouchercon. I talked to a woman who said she was a big fan of my work. That alone was awesome. I never get tired of hearing that (not that I hear it that often).  I sold some books and I signed books. That I will never get tired of either. And of course, I came home with some new books to read.

I didn’t win the Anthony but that’s OK by me. I was in great company and the memory of being an Anthony nominee will stay forever with me.

Best Novella nominees: (S.W. Lauden, John Shepphird, Angel Luis Colon, and me with moderator Baron Birtcher)

One week until Bouchercon!

/ Sarah M. Chen / Leave a comment

The countdown is beginning. In exactly one week, I’ll be in Toronto at BOUCHERCON – the biggest mystery conference in the world. I’m extremely excited and nervous. It will be a little different too since FINN is up for an Anthony Award for Best Novella. I’m already giddy and stressed at these conferences because of the panels I have to prepare for and/or moderate but now that’s like being multiplied by 100. Or 1,000.

Don’t get me wrong. I love going to these conferences. These are my people, my tribe. I get to see people I only know online or just see a couple times a year. I get to meet authors/bloggers/readers/publishers I’ve always wanted to meet. I just have to remember to take time out for myself to just chill and re-group so I don’t go into socialization overload shock.

I’ll be participating in the Author Speed Dating on Thursday from 8:00 – 10:00AM. That’s something I’ve done before and it’s always a fun time. I’ll pitch myself and FINN for 2 minutes to 160 people. It’s exhausting, especially having to be there at 7:30AM, but it’s always worth it to meet new readers and authors.

On Friday, I moderate the “Meet the Editors of your Best Anthology Nominees” at 10:00AM.

On Saturday, I’ll be on the “Meet your Novella Nominees” panel at 8:30AM.

Why is everything so damn early in the morning??  

Anyway, I’m excited and it’ll be fantastic to explore a new city. I always come back re-energized, inspired, and seriously motivated to kick ass on my WIP. And yes, hoarse and a little disheveled, but we won’t think about that. 🙂

Anthony Nominee!

 

CLEANING UP FINN is up for an Anthony Award!

/ Sarah M. Chen / 3 Comments

I’m really excited to attend Bouchercon this year in Toronto for many reasons, but now I have an even bigger reason to be excited! I especially love that this is the first year there is a Best Novella category so it’s truly an honor to be shortlisted.

Best Novella (8,000-40,000 words)

  • Cleaning Up Finn – Sarah M. Chen [All Due Respect Books]
  • No Happy Endings – Angel Luis Colón [Down & Out]
  • Crosswise – S.W. Lauden [Down & Out]
  • Beware the Shill – John Shepphird [Down & Out]
  • The Last Blue Glass – B.K. Stevens, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, April 2016 [Dell]

It’s tough competition and it’s even tougher because three of the nominees are my friends: Angel Luis Colón, S.W. Lauden, and John Shepphird.  There’s going to be some epic throwdowns in Toronto, I have a feeling.

And I owe all this to my publishers over at ALL DUE RESPECT BOOKS, Chris Rhatigan and Mike Monson. Love these guys and hope I make them proud! Go ADR!

Here’s the link to the entire list of Anthony nominees:

http://bouchercon2017.com/anthony-awards/

Hope to see many of you in Toronto!